KEM – The Man , the Artist, the Singer

As the world of music went through transition after transition, artist after artist, we’ve somehow still BE fortunate enough to BE blessed with a voice like none other. Who knew from this voice alone that the sound of soul/jazz adult contemporary would never BE the same?

Born in Nashville, Tennessee and Raised in Detroit, Michigan; which is widely referred to as the birthplace of the “Motown Sound”, Kem Owens learned he had a knack for music at a very young age. He BEgan playing the piano while spending time with his grandfather, and started writing music by the time he was in middle school.

During his Teen years, Kem hit a rough patch, which in the end worked out to make him a BEtter man. He dealt with homelessness, BEcame addicted to drugs, and eventually was isolated from his family. Those issues were faced head on when he allowed spirituality into his life and the joyous sounds that music offered. He says, “ I am a miracle in progress, and amazing things happen when you let God work his path….”

Surprisingly, he never saw himself as a singer/performer, but after writing songs he figured, “Who BEtter to sing my own songs than me??” That’s when the KEM we know today BEgan to emerge in to existence. He BEgan on the journey to release his first album all by himself. He waited tables & sang in a wedding band, which covered over 40 hits. While working hard to make his dream come true, he also used his American Express card to fund the majority of Kemistry, which he also wrote and produced .

As Kemistry was released and KEM put in work to make it a success, he eventually sold over 17,000 copies idependently. This caught the attention of Motown Records. His debut record was re-released under Motown, and thanks to the first single “Love Calls”, it went on to sell over 500,000 copies worldwide.

He quickly BEgan work on his second album, Album II, which released in 2005 and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. It included the hit single “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, a # 1 at urban adult contemporary radio.

This Spring KEM set out on the “Intimacy Tour” with the likes of his soul music counterparts Ledisi and Musiq Soulchild. The tour was a way to display to the world the songs from his newly released album Intimacy.

When KEM is not sharing his music with the world, he loves to spend time with his 2 daughters Troi and Laylah, to which he credits much of his inspiration. He loves to share his spirituality with those he comes in contact with. AND he love coming in contact with is family.

To the up and coming artists, KEM’s advice is, “Stay persistent in your dreams. Surround yourself with people who know more than you know and can help to lead you in the right direction. Make sure you understand the language of the music industry.” When it comes to problems, he advises to, “Look for the spiritual solutions and always put God first.”

Years from now KEM’s biggest dream is to sit at home with his family and BE able to look at his shelf full of Grammy’s. He wants homes all around the country and to BE able to donate money to the world’s different causes in order to help make someone else’s life BEtter.